WINEMAKER NOTES Aromatically inviting – a subtlety of red berries and darker plum and blue fruits. The nose carries a freshness and purity with a swirl of fresh herbs and spice. Delicately structured, the palate carries a light citrus freshness with a core of crunchy red berry fruit. Sit with it awhile – this is a wine that truly evolves in the glass. About Winery Penfolds is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious wineries, founded in Adelaide in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife, Mary Penfold. Best known for its flagship Penfolds Grange wine, the brand is celebrated globally for pioneering a premium, multi-vineyard blending philosophy.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2019 Résonance Découverte Vineyard Chardonnay from Oregon’s Dundee Hills is a refined and expressive wine that highlights the elegance of Willamette Valley terroir. Aromatically, it offers notes of Meyer lemon, apricot, peach, struck flint, and subtle spice, with hints of cardamom and pie crust adding complexity. On the palate, it is dry and medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, delivering flavors of stone fruit, lemon curd, and a touch of saline minerality. Aged in French oak, it shows excellent balance and length, with a graceful, layered finish that suggests strong aging potential. Critics and enthusiasts alike praise its harmony of fruit and savory elements, making it a standout Oregon Chardonnay vintage. About Winery  Résonance Winery was founded in 2013 when Maison Louis Jadot, the historic Burgundy producer, made its first venture outside of France. The project began when Jacques Lardière, Jadot’s legendary winemaker for 42 years, and Thibault Gagey, son of Jadot’s president Pierre-Henry Gagey, discovered the Résonance Vineyard in Oregon’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA. They were immediately struck by the site’s potential, with its marine sedimentary soils and cool-climate conditions ideal for Pinot Noir. Deciding to keep the vineyard’s original name, they established Résonance as Jadot’s Oregon estate, blending Burgundian tradition with Oregon terroir. Today, Résonance produces acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, crafted with minimal intervention to highlight purity, elegance, and a sense of place, while symbolizing the “resonance” between Burgundy and Oregon.

Read more less

#24 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021 Dark garnet red with classic Geyserville nose of ripe black cherry and plum, gravel, wintergreen, and beautiful oak spice. Deep and sensuously layered with polished tannins, river-rock minerality, and a long finish. Blend: 71% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante Bouschet About Winery Ridge Vineyards is a famed Californian wine producer founded in 1962, and based in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but with vineyards in several parts of the state. Its flagship wine, Monte Bello, is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux blend known for delivering the complexity and elegance of Bordeaux wines, as well as typical California fruit intensity. It is also well known for its range of Zinfandel wines and Zinfandel-based blends, led by the Geyserville cuvée. Wines made from Petite Sirah, Carignan and a Grenache – Mataro blend have also been longstanding features in the range, and Ridge has made a small amount of Chardonnay each vintage for many decades. In recent years the portfolio has expanded considerably. Newer additions include a Lytton Estate Rosé, a limited-release Mendocino Falanghina, and a trio of Rhône-variety white wines from Adelaida Vineyard in Paso Robles. The renowned trio of vineyards, Monte Bello, Geyservillle and Lytton Springs account for the majority of Ridge's production, with the remainder coming from the estate's East Bench site and a number of key contract growers. Montebello is situated at around 800m (2600ft) above sea level in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a few miles south of San Jose. The history of the Monte Bello vineyard and winery dates back to the 1880s.  All of the Bordeaux varieties are grown on the Monte Bello vineyard. Those plots that have been shown to provide the most ageworthy, complex wines go into the flagship wine, which bears the vineyard's name. The remaining parcels, which tend to produce relatively approachable, youthful wines, are earmarked for the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Blind tastings confirm the selection and the wines are blended over two sessions in the following February and May. Klein Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection from a part of the estate planted by the Alsatian Pierre Klein in the late 1880s. The Estate Chardonnay also comes from the Monte Bello Estate vineyards. Geyserville is an estate (and township) located in the Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County. It lies more than 100 miles by car to the north of Monte Bello. The property is owned by the Trentadue family who, since 1966, have sold grapes to Ridge for the single-site, Zinfandel-based wine of the same name. It is home to the oldest vines farmed by Ridge, with some in the "Old Patch" more than 130 years of age. Lytton Springs is also known for powerful Zinfandel. It is located in Dry Creek Valley AVA, neighboring Alexander Valley to the west. Ridge first purchased grapes from 1972, then bought the estate outright in 1991. Winemaking across the portfolio combines old-school techniques with sophisticated laboratory analysis to give early warnings of any problems. Ridge only uses native yeasts, and avoids filtration in favor of settling and racking with occasional egg-white fining. Paul Draper, who joined Ridge in 1969, is one of the world's most celebrated winemakers. His awards include Decanter Man of the Year (2000), COPIA Award for winemaking (2004) and the James Beard Award (2007). In 2015, a Decanter Magazine poll of his peers voted him in the top five most admired winemakers in the world.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The palate is lifted and bright, the finish is polished and long, and the wine skips over any heaviness on the mid-palate. The bouquet is especially intriguing with a very lively plummy fruit element that is enhanced by baker's chocolate, pepper spice, iron ore, caramel and pie crust. There is also a green character that adds positively to the bouquet with aniseed, tea leaf, soya, menthol rub and black olive. The fruit maturity is spot-on with no elements that feel over or underripe. About Winery The Tenuta San Guido is a 7,500-acre estate located in the province of Livorno on the western coastal outskirts of Tuscany near the village of Bolgheri. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta acquired it through his marriage to Clarice della Gherardesca in 1940. The legacy of Sassicaia began in 1944, when Mario Incisa acquired a number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc vine cuttings and planted them on a sloping hillside of the San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello after the 11th-century castle at the vineyard's upper edge. This tiny, 3.75-acre vineyard stood alone until 1965, when a second Cabernet vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Castiglioncello parcel; the gravelly, 30-acre plot would give the wine its name: Sassicaia, "the place of many stones". With the radical changes in the D.O.C. system of regulations as of the 1994 vintage, Sassicaia's extraordinary reputation was acknowledged through the Italian government's granting the wine its own appellation. Sassicaia is today considered to be the new plus ultra of Italy's great red wines for its consistent excellence and its intuitive spirit. Acclaimed by the wine world's most respected voices, Sassicaia remains the legacy of its creator, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, and his son, Marchese Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta.  

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Lush notes of black cherry, plum, cassis, and violets, layered with hints of graphite, cedar, and subtle spice from French oak aging. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins vibrant acidity, and a polished texture. Flavors of ripe red and black fruits mingle with mocha, tobacco, and earthy undertones. Blend: Approximately 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc About Winery Screaming Eagle is a cult winery in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA, founded in 1986 by real estate agent Jean Phillips, who initially sold grapes before deciding to produce her own wine. Encouraged by Robert Mondavi, she hired winemaker Heidi Barrett, and in 1992 released the first vintage of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, which immediately gained critical acclaim and near-mythical status due to its tiny production (only about 600–700 cases per year) and exceptional quality

Read more less

Winemaker Notes A deep, bright ruby red color with purple hues, Seña 2019 shows complexity on the nose with red and black fruits aromas and a distinctive freshness. Several layers of aromatics deliver suggestions of pepper, dill and rosemary alongside coffee beans, pastries and vanilla. On the palate Seña shows blueberry pie and cassis cream notes whilst brimming with fresh-picked red and black fruits. Seña 2019 is a very elegant wine, with great structure, complexity and depth – with notable freshness and polished tannins. About Winery Seña is a Bordeaux-style Chilean wine, considered an icon wine, and known for its complexity and ability to age. It is produced by the Chadwick family and was the first Chilean wine of its kind, created through a collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Eduardo Chadwick. The wine is characterized by its expressive and pure aromas, with notes of red and dark fruits, spices, and floral hints, alongside a fresh, juicy palate with fine tannins. Seña is crafted from grapes grown in the Aconcagua Valley, using a biodynamic approach that emphasizes harmony with nature.   

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Hillside Select is a wine of a place, sourced from carefully selected blocks of Stags Leap District hillside vineyards. These grapes are small and deeply colored, with concentrated flavors enhanced by meticulous winemaking and extensive aging in French oak barrels. Hillside Select consistently expresses the voluptuous fruit, rich flavors, and velvety texture that characterize grapes grown in this renown AVA. About Winery Shafer Vineyards has produced classic Napa Valley wines for more than 40 years. Shafer’s wines, including its signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside Select, are found in collectors’ cellars and on wine lists in top luxury hotels and restaurants throughout the world. The vineyard and cellar teams, led by winemaker Elias Fernandez, cultivate more than 200 acres of Shafer-owned vineyards, sources for the winery's celebrated Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, TD-9, One Point Five, Relentless, and Hillside Select. The winery has a decades-long commitment to sustainability. Beginning in the 1980s Shafer embraced farming techniques that eliminate insecticides and herbicides, and carefully conserve water resources. In 2004 Shafer became the first winery in the U.S. to go 100% solar.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The sensational 2019 vintage rightfully has been receiving early praise in our region. The moderately warm days long into the growing season yielded high flavors, mouth-filling dark fruited wines, and plush, soft tannins across the Skipstone lineup. Immediately giving on both the nose and the palate, Preface is a delightfully enjoyable wine. A sweet core of plum, cherry and fig anchors the wine on the palate with supporting notes of aged leather, pomegranate, and balsamic reduction. A deft use of oak during the aging process adds hints of powdered cocoa and cedar. This serious wine persists on the palate that carries the dense fruit through to a strong, lingering finish. About Winery Skipstone is tucked between two stunning hillsides in the mountains above Alexander Valley. We aspire to perfection in every aspect of our wine growing and estate farming, drawing inspiration from the unparalleled potential and promise of the earth. Uncompromising in our standards of sustainability and treatment of the land, we are committed to nurturing the precious resource that is our 200 acre estate. Blessed by nature, we listen intently to the terroir of our vineyards, and in turn, our wines speak eloquently of their origin.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes In 2019 we produced Cabernet Sauvignon from three vineyards in Oakville to create this robust and generous Cabernet Sauvignon. This blend is dominated by Oakville Ranch Vineyard. Located in the hills among famous neighbors Dalla Valle, Pedregal and Backus vineyards, Oakville Ranch produces powerful, rich, structured wines. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from two other vineyards along Skellenger Lane were blended in to add expressive fruit character and lush tannins. The resulting wine offers layers of dark red and blue fruit flavors with hints of cocoa and dried herbs. This is a rich and vibrant wine that can be enjoyed now, yet will age for 15+ years. About Winery Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Sonoma Coast Durell Vineyard has been the source behind some of the most sought-after Chardonnay wines in California fortunate to work with two outstanding vineyard blocks that combine to make something special. This 2 lively and exotic with rich flavors, complexity and focus. We fermented in French oak barrels to produce an ex illustrates the balance and exceptional character of the vintage. About Winery Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2019 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon is an Oakville, Napa Valley wine known for its linear intensity, bright acidity, and persistence, featuring a blend of red- and black-fruited aromatics alongside forest undergrowth, chocolate, and mineral notes, with fine tannins and a lingering finish. A challenging vintage marked by heavy spring rains and late-summer heat spikes, 2019 required careful vineyard management and resulted in a wine of both power and finesse, with significant aging potential.  About Winery Ulysses winery was established in 2008 when Christian Moueix, a prominent figure in Bordeaux winemaking, acquired a historic vineyard in the Oakville appellation of Napa Valley. This acquisition involved the meticulous restoration of a property on the Oakville bench, formerly part of Charles Hopper's ranch, with a focus on dry farming and sustainable agricultural practices. Today, Ulysses produces a single Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, made with a minimalist approach and matured at the neighboring Dominus Estate, reflecting the exceptional terroir of its unique, gravelly soil. 

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2019 Valserrano Reserva red wine has an intense and elegant aroma with hints of ripe red fruit, mineral notes, and toasted oak. On the palate, it is potent and appetizing, offering flavors of red fruits and toasted notes with a balanced oak influence. Made primarily from Tempranillo and Graciano grapes from the Rioja Alavesa region, the wine is characterized by its good structure and intense color, reflecting the "Excellent" 2019 vintage in Rioja.  About Winery Valserrano, also known as Viñedos y Bodegas de la Marquesa, is a family-owned winery with a long history in Rioja Alavesa. Founded in 1880, it has been continuously managed by the same family for five generations. The winery's roots trace back to Francisco Javier Solano y Eulate, Marqués de la Solana, who, inspired by French winemaking techniques, began producing Médoc-style wines in the late 19th century. Today, Juan Pablo de Simón, his great-grandson, leads the winery, and his children are actively involved in the business. 

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2020 Antinori Tignanello is an intense ruby red wine with exceptional aromatic complexity. It opens with vibrant notes of ripe red fruits—especially cherries, strawberries, and blackberries—accompanied by delicate floral hints of violets, mallow blossoms, and roses. The bouquet is further enriched by subtle layers of roasted coffee, cocoa powder, and spices like pepper, licorice, and herbs. On the palate, it is vibrant and layered, with a silky tannin structure and a fresh, lengthy finish, showcasing both finesse and power About Winery Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.  

Read more less

PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2020 Armand Heitz Corton Grand Cru wines, including the red Les Chaumes and Les Hautes Mourottes, are characterized by high-intensity terroir expression from biodynamically farmed, 100% whole-cluster fermented Pinot Noir. About Winery Armand Heitz is a dynamic, Chassagne-Montrachet-based Burgundian estate producing highly regarded Grand Cru wines from the Corton hill using biodynamic, agroecological practices. Focused on terroir-driven,, low-intervention winemaking, Heitz produces both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) Corton Grand Cru, characterized by elegance, balance, and the use of whole-cluster fermentation. 

Read more less

PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2020 Armand Heitz Corton Hautes Mourottes is a structured, aromatic Grand Cru Pinot Noir from a high-altitude (360m), east-facing slope with stony, limestone-clay soil. Known for its light color but intense character, this 2020 vintage features high whole-cluster inclusion, providing a "pungently aromatic" profile, firm tannin structure, and refreshing, slightly dry, mineral finish.  About Winery Armand Heitz is a dynamic, Chassagne-Montrachet-based Burgundian estate producing highly regarded Grand Cru wines from the Corton hill using biodynamic, agroecological practices. Focused on terroir-driven,, low-intervention winemaking, Heitz produces both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) Corton Grand Cru, characterized by elegance, balance, and the use of whole-cluster fermentation. 

Read more less

PRE-ORDER About Winery Domaine Bachelet-Monnot is a modern Burgundy estate founded in 2005 by brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet, who combined vineyard holdings from their father Jean-François and their uncle to create a new domaine based in Dezize-lès-Maranges. Despite its youth, the winery quickly gained international recognition for its precise, terroir-driven wines, particularly its whites from Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, and is now considered one of the rising stars of the Côte de Beaune.  

Read more less